tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post5879447492319840435..comments2024-03-28T13:26:59.030-04:00Comments on Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Quick facts about Assisted SuicideAlex Schadenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-64861771179333512592013-01-19T22:09:30.062-05:002013-01-19T22:09:30.062-05:00Once again you attempt to create an artificial dis...Once again you attempt to create an artificial distinction between hastening death through pain relief and directly causing death via the same methods.<br /><br />You haven't provided any distinguishing characteristics of administering analgesics that hasten death and directly causing death through a massive overdose.<br /><br />If one is dangerous, then so is the other.<br /><br />Angels of Death is about the hows and whys of euthanasia in jurisdictions where it is illegal. It is about shedding light on events that occur whether society is willing to face up to their reality or not.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-2456482140715272632013-01-19T21:57:04.040-05:002013-01-19T21:57:04.040-05:00Dear Winston:
I think I have wasted enough time o...Dear Winston:<br /><br />I think I have wasted enough time on your comments.<br /><br />Suicide could be about a person's choice or "right to die" but assisted suicide and euthanasia is about someone else either involved in or causing the act.<br /><br />What is illegal is the other person involved with causing death and this is the way it should be.<br /><br />No one should be involved with causing my or your death. It is wrong and it is not safe.<br />Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-64046813673826059302013-01-19T20:52:17.958-05:002013-01-19T20:52:17.958-05:00Another red herring. It's not about the doctor...Another red herring. It's not about the doctor's right, but about the <i>patient's</i> right to obtain assistance to die.<br /><br />Doctors can already abuse the doctrine of double effect. Even allowing doctors to shorten lives under the guise of "pain control" encourages them to lie about their intentions.<br /><br />And unless they cause death in two minutes instead of two days, the chance of being able to prove anything is essentially non-existent.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-83181713501395708172013-01-19T18:44:05.884-05:002013-01-19T18:44:05.884-05:00I have read Angels of death by Magnusson. I have r...I have read Angels of death by Magnusson. I have read all of the euthanasia lobby books and they are all full of it.<br /><br />Once you give a doctor the right, in law, to kill you, you have opened up a serious problem.<br /><br />No one should have the right in law to kill me or you, even if I ask for it. You will never control it.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-87251456674836392972013-01-18T22:56:49.018-05:002013-01-18T22:56:49.018-05:00As I mentioned before, any amount of reporting is ...As I mentioned before, any amount of reporting is leagues better than the current situation (deception, the fabrication of destroyed morphine, lack of patient-physician communication regarding terminal sedation etc).<br /><br />I suggest you read Angels of Death by Roger Magnusson.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-24105936049328557262013-01-18T22:46:38.181-05:002013-01-18T22:46:38.181-05:00You obviously haven't read my book or the Belg...You obviously haven't read my book or the Belgium studies.<br /><br />The euthanasia lobby always tosses false arguments into the debate. <br /><br />You are comparing apples to oranges.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-57379384913360282502013-01-18T21:53:45.333-05:002013-01-18T21:53:45.333-05:00It's more likely that abuse becomes more visib...It's more likely that abuse becomes more visible. The rates are almost impossible to determine the level of abuse without scrutiny.<br /><br />Here's an article you should analyse before assuming that we will go down the slippery slope instead of up it:<br /><br />http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/200508--.htm<br /><br />More specifically:<br /><br />"In addition, studies have been carried out in Australia and in Belgium to ascertain whether there was more abuse in the Netherlands than in other comparable countries where euthanasia was illegal and could not be practiced openly. The Australian study found that while the rate of active voluntary euthanasia in Australia was slightly lower than that shown in the more recent Dutch study (1.8 percent as against 2.3 percent), the rate of explicit nonvoluntary euthanasia in Australia was, at 3.5 percent, much higher than the Dutch rate of 0.8 percent. Rates for other end-of-life decisions, such as withdrawing life support or giving pain relief foreseen to be life-shortening, were also higher than in the Netherlands. The Belgian study, which examined deaths in the country's northern Flemish-speaking region before voluntary euthanasia was legalized in that country, came to broadly similar conclusions. The rate of voluntary euthanasia was, at 1.3 percent of all deaths, again lower than in the Netherlands, but the proportion of patients given a lethal injection without having requested it was, at 3 percent of all deaths, similar to the Australian rate and also like it, much higher than the rate in the Netherlands. These two studies discredit assertions that the open practice of active voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands had led to an increase in nonvoluntary euthanasia. There is no evidence to support the claim that laws against physician-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia prevent harm to vulnerable people. Those who still seek to paint the situation in the Netherlands in dark colors now need to explain the fact that that country's neighbor, Belgium, has chosen to follow its lead. The Belgian parliament voted, by large margins in both the upper and lower houses, to allow doctors to act on a patient's request for assistance in dying. The majority of Belgium's citizens speak Flemish, a language so close to Dutch that they have no difficulty in reading Dutch newspapers and books or watching Dutch television. If voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands really were rife with abuses, why would the country that is better placed than all others to know what goes on in the Netherlands be keen to pass a similar law?"Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-45889434264511490212013-01-18T21:18:35.860-05:002013-01-18T21:18:35.860-05:00You obviously haven't read my book. In jurisdi...You obviously haven't read my book. In jurisdictions where euthanasia is legal, the abuse continues and the number of deaths by dehydrations increase.<br /><br />Read my book or read more of my blog articles.<br /><br />Look to the articles on the recent Netherlands statistics and the Belgium studies.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-57241879416872944502013-01-18T20:29:38.697-05:002013-01-18T20:29:38.697-05:00Why would it get worse under a system of regulatio...Why would it get worse under a system of regulation and scrutiny?<br /><br />Under the current situation, the easiest way to get away with murder would be to increase morphine until death occurs, and then lie to the coroner about one's motives.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-931144606534658452013-01-18T13:28:12.196-05:002013-01-18T13:28:12.196-05:00Dear Winston:
I am glad you are watching my old s...Dear Winston:<br /><br />I am glad you are watching my old speech.<br /><br />The problem of abuse is pretty serious and further to that, the average person has a hard time recognizing when normal treatment of pain is occurring or an abuse is occurs.<br /><br />It would only get worse if we legalize euthanasia.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-11398255468063707722013-01-18T01:22:12.202-05:002013-01-18T01:22:12.202-05:00I've watched your speech and Q&A interface...I've watched your speech and Q&A interface with students at the U of T campus (talk about preaching to the choir).<br /><br />You haven't said anything about how to determine the motives of a doctor who administers high doses of morphine.<br /><br />How do you distinguish between just enough terminal sedation and too much terminal sedation that hastens death?Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-3839647517941732132013-01-15T23:34:12.247-05:002013-01-15T23:34:12.247-05:00Alex: If compassion means anything, it must mean t...Alex: If compassion means anything, it must mean the same thing for humans and for animals. Under the current regime, animals have more rights than we do when it comes to the relief of suffering.<br /><br />As for terminal sedation, most would rather die quickly rather than linger on in a coma for several weeks.<br /><br />Why should suicide only be available to those who can physically commit it? That leaves quadriplegics and those unfortunate enough to suffer from locked-in syndrome with no option save self-dehydration.<br /><br />Hardly compassionate in any sense.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-81861086556391494632013-01-15T19:56:31.244-05:002013-01-15T19:56:31.244-05:00I don't support the status quo, I believe we s...I don't support the status quo, I believe we should provide much better care for vulnerable people.<br /><br />But I don't compare humans to animals, and I don't believe in giving doctors or any other group the right to kill me.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-39632898568972973472013-01-15T19:45:12.572-05:002013-01-15T19:45:12.572-05:00Alex: So you prefer the status quo? If I believed ...Alex: So you prefer the status quo? If I believed in miracles, the complete lack of terminally ill suicide bombers would qualify.<br /><br />As a society, modern Western world treats suffering animals with infinitely more compassion than they do suffering human beings.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-13180002100595467482013-01-15T19:42:48.553-05:002013-01-15T19:42:48.553-05:00Winston:
Your comments really help my argument ag...Winston:<br /><br />Your comments really help my argument against assisted suicide.<br />Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-52574807025156408802013-01-15T19:09:28.873-05:002013-01-15T19:09:28.873-05:00Alex: Stockpiling morphine can only be done with a...Alex: Stockpiling morphine can only be done with a physician's aid.<br /><br />Suicide is perfectly legal, so why must it be limited to violent (shotgun) slow (self-dehydration) and/or unreliable methods (shotgun/pistols)?<br /><br />Why should doctors and vets be the only ones with access to a swift, peaceful, merciful and <b>guaranteed</b> compassionate end?Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-67621586358156357952013-01-15T11:52:19.355-05:002013-01-15T11:52:19.355-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-71657238722129430552013-01-15T11:52:18.778-05:002013-01-15T11:52:18.778-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-47820204406667030652013-01-15T11:52:18.207-05:002013-01-15T11:52:18.207-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-67305271332626181142013-01-15T11:52:17.125-05:002013-01-15T11:52:17.125-05:00Dear Winston:
There is a clear ethical line betwe...Dear Winston:<br /><br />There is a clear ethical line between being intentionally involved with causing death by knowingly prescribing a lethal dose and a person saving up morphine.<br /><br />Since you don't get it, let me explain. It is wrong to give someone else in society, such as a doctor, the right in law to either intentionally cause my death or be involved with intentionally causing my death.<br /><br />All of these false comparisons, such as suicide by cop, do not fit and are simply an attempt to create false and inaccurate and even worse (suicide by cop) destructive comparisons.<br /><br />There is a clear difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide but the similarity rests on the right in law for one person to actually cause or be involved with intentionally causing the death of another person.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-50611986444944230982013-01-15T04:19:10.758-05:002013-01-15T04:19:10.758-05:00I'm perfectly stable mentally, Alex. I was sim...I'm perfectly stable mentally, Alex. I was simply pointing out that in the absence of compassionate end-of-life legislation, suicide by cop is one of the most painless ways to die.<br /><br />Your stance on pain control and the double effect would prohibit doctors prescribing morphine pills. After all, you never know who's going to stockpile and overdose on them. It would take a greater amount, but it's certainly possible.<br /><br />It would also mean more suffering, since the patient would not be able to build up a resistance to the drug.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-4662025061556653112013-01-14T20:24:01.056-05:002013-01-14T20:24:01.056-05:00Dear Winston:
I have a friend who is a profession...Dear Winston:<br /><br />I have a friend who is a professional counsellor who can help you with your fixation.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-59413445676132810242013-01-14T19:07:59.700-05:002013-01-14T19:07:59.700-05:00But Alex, an exception for self-defense would allo...But Alex, an exception for self-defense would allow the brutal act of provoking the police into killing oneself (in such instances, that would be assisted suicide).<br /><br />We regularly put down dogs that are dangerous. It is also very feasibly for humans to do the same and induce the police to shoot them.Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-27150218282832327012013-01-14T18:49:15.149-05:002013-01-14T18:49:15.149-05:00Dear Winston:
There is no exception to assisted s...Dear Winston:<br /><br />There is no exception to assisted suicide, your argument about self-defence refers to killing another person, but in assisted suicide there cannot be a self-defence exception.<br /><br />You seem to have a fixation with suicide by cop. If you have a problem I am willing to talk to you, if it would help.<br /><br />As for death by starvation, if you read the blog further you will notice that death by starvation is nearly impossible, but death by dehydration is possible.<br /><br />I don't advocate for death by dehydration, and yes death by dehydration can be a form of euthanasia.Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-29501447728871902372013-01-14T18:14:15.017-05:002013-01-14T18:14:15.017-05:00Alex: You would make an exception for cases of sel...Alex: You would make an exception for cases of self-defense, correct? Therefore, you are inadvertently giving tacit approval to a loophole in the current assisted suicide law (suicide by cop).<br /><br />It is also assisted suicide when an individual refuses treatment and chooses to be starved to death. Especially since they must be sedated to evade the suffering caused by such a barbaric act. Tony Nicklinson is a case in point. It was a situation where refusing treatment and committing suicide were one and the same.<br /><br />Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029187310122412297noreply@blogger.com